Meet new number 1 all-rounder in Test matches
After a match-winning performance with the ball and bat in
the 2nd Test match against West Indies played at Old Trafford,
Manchester from 16th July onwards, Ben Stokes displaced Jason Holder
as the new number 1 ranked all-rounder in the latest ICC Test rankings.
In the first innings, Ben Stokes came at the crease with
England struggling at 81 for 3. He took time to settle against some good pace
bowling from West Indies. It was a disciplined inning from the all-rounder as
he left the ball and played attacking strokes to put pressure on the visitors.
Stokes reached his fifty off 119 balls. He ended the first day not out on 59
runs.
On the second day, Stokes played cautiously against the 2nd
new ball. He remained not out on 99 at lunch and richly deserving completed his
century with a reverse sweep shot of Chase bowling. Stokes showed his class
after his century and smashed the West Indies bowlers with attacking stroke
play and rotating the strike. Stokes completed his 150 off 301 balls and played
looked to tee after the tea break. He was eventually dismissed for a brilliant
176 off 356 balls. His knock helped England declare their innings on 469 for 9.
Stokes did a remarkable job with 11 over spell on the trot.
When the partnership between Kraigg Braithwaite and Brooks was going on, he
produced a sharp bouncer to dismiss Kraigg Braithwaite for 75. He finished with
figures of 1 for 29 in 13 overs.
He was promoted at the top of the order in the 2nd
innings. Stokes came with intent right from word go on the fifth day. After
being dropped by John Campbell, he smashed the West Indies bowlers and completed
his half-century off 36 balls. He remained not out on 78 off 57 balls to help
England set 312 runs target for West Indies.
Stokes delivered the job for England in the 2nd
innings. With the partnership between Blackwood and Brooks going on, all-rounder
produced a short ball to get rid of Blackwood for 55. Blackwood and Brooks
added 100 runs for the 5th wicket.
He produced a long spell for England again in the 2nd
innings. Stokes could not bowl more due to an injury as he took 2 for 30 in
14.4 overs. His all-round performance handed the man of the match award.
Due to his all-round performance, Stokes replaced West Indies captain Jason
Holder as the number 1 all-rounder. He jumped six places up to number 3rd
in the latest ICC Test batsmen rankings.
The newly crowned number 1 all-rounder in Test matches produced
magic during 2019. With the bat, Stokes played 11 Test matches ( 21 innings)
and scored 821 runs. He scored a breathtaking 135* in 4th innings
of the 3rd Ashes Test matches at Headingly leading England to memorable
1 wicket win.
Stokes proved his worth with the ball also with 22 wickets
from 11 matches ( 15 innings). He has been the crisis man for England.
He made his Test debut for England against Australia in the
2nd Ashes Test match on 5th December 2013. Since then,
Stokes played 65 Test matches (119 innings) and scored 4399 runs with a career-best score of 258 against South Africa at Cape Town.
Stokes has done a decent job with the ball with 156 wickets
from 65 matches (110 innings). He has been in sensational form in Test matches during
2020. So far, the left-handed batsman scored 1102 run from 11 matches ( 21
innings) with 4 centuries and 4 half-centuries.
He became the first England all-rounder in Test after Andrew Flintoff to achieve the number 1 spot. With Stokes in the squad, the hosts are the favorites to win the series and retain Wisden Trophy.
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| Ben Stokes became the number 1 ranked all-rounder in Test matches |
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